Owning an RV is a way to explore new places and experience the freedom of the open road–all at an affordable cost. But is it really more affordable to drive thousands of miles than to fly and rent a room? Don’t you spend just as much on fuel?
Before you commit to buying an RV, you need to be aware of the fuel costs involved in powering these mobile homes. Knowing how much it costs to fill up an RV helps you plan and budget for your trips.
So, how much does it cost to fill up an RV?
To figure that out, you need to know:
- How many gallons of gas does an RV hold?
- How far does an RV go on a tank of gas?
- And what kind of gas does an RV take?
Key Takeaways
- Fuel costs for RVs vary based on RV type, fuel used, location, and the current season.
- Fuel price apps can help you save money by displaying prices of nearby gas stations.
- There are ways to improve your RV fuel efficiency on the road and reduce overall fuel expenses.
What Factors Affect RV Fuel Costs?
Where you’re traveling, what season you’re traveling in, what type of fuel you need…
All of these factors affect your fuel costs. But before we get into that, it’s important to follow your manufacturer’s recommendation for the fuel type you should use in your RV.
Some engines require a premium or performance blend of gasoline. If you want your engine to enjoy a long life, you’ll need to feed it the fuel it needs.
The estimates here are based on 87-octane gasoline. But yours may require a higher octane.
Fuel Type: Gasoline vs. Diesel
Diesel engines are more fuel efficient and provide more power for hauling trailers or fifth wheels. High-quality diesel engines that are well-cared for also tend to outlast standard engines.
Diesel fuel is generally more expensive than gasoline, but since the engine gets better fuel efficiency, it’s often worth the trade-off.
Ultimately, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each engine falls under your purview as an RV owner. After all, only you know how you like to travel and how much power you need.
If you’re still unsure, read up on the differences between diesel vs. regular gas here.
Because price is a top concern when filling up your RV, you’ll want to know some national averages on gas prices.
The national average gas price is $3.88/gal. The national average diesel fuel price is $4.63/gal.
But unless you’re planning a road trip across the United States, national averages aren’t really applicable. Here’s why…
State Taxes and Regional Prices
Fuel cost varies from one location to another due to state taxes and regional prices.
Some states, like California, Nevada, and Hawaii, are known for their higher fuel prices. In comparison, Georgia and Texas tend to have less expensive gas. These price discrepancies affect your total fuel costs.
Generally, gas on the East Coast is less expensive than gas on the West Coast – even without factoring in California.
Seasonal Fluctuations
During the winter, gas manufacturers produce a winter blend that has more butane so the vapors will ignite at lower temperatures. Because butane is less expensive than oil, the gas blend is “cheaper.” However, this lower oil content will translate to lower mileage.
During the summer travel season, fuel prices tend to rise with demand as more people are traveling and taking vacations.
Average RV Gas Tank Sizes, Fuel Efficiency, and Gas Mileage by Class
The gas tank size significantly affects how much you spend to fill it up and how far you can go on one tank.
Here’s the average size tank based on the class of RV:
Class A stats:
- 80-150 gallon tank
- 6-10 mpg
- 480-1500 miles/tank
Class B stats:
- 25-30 gallon tank
- 18-22 mpg
- 450-660 mile/tank
Class C stats:
- 25-55 gallon tank
- 10-15 mpg
- 250-825 miles/tank
A big advantage of the Class A RV is that it can go farther on one tank because it has the largest gas tanks. However, the Class B and Class C RVs get almost double the efficiency of the standard engine.
How Many Miles Can An RV Go On A Tank of Gas?
Averages are great. But you don’t want to rely on averages when planning your road trip. You’ll want a clearer picture of your specific RV model’s miles-per-gallon rate,. That way, you can budget for fuel costs accordingly, knowing how far one tank of gas goes.
To estimate your RV’s MPG, divide the miles driven by the amount of fuel used.
Let’s say you use your odometer to track your trip miles (how far you’ve traveled on one tank)). When you last checked, it said you’ve 504 miles. If you have a 28-gallon tank, you’d divide 504 divided by 28 to calculate your miles per gallon (which, in this case, would be 18 mpg).
How to Reduce RV Fuel Costs
We all want to go farther on less fuel to stretch our dollar. Here are four ways to increase your RV’s fuel economy and reduce fuel costs.
Use Fuel Price Apps
Fuel price apps display the fuel prices at nearby gas stations. Identifying the cheapest fuel prices along your route could result in savings on fill-ups.
Some popular fuel price apps include GasBuddy, Upside, Checkout 51, Google Maps, and Drivvo.
Drive Safe, Save Money
If you maintain a consistent speed, your engine runs more efficiently and uses less gas. Do your best to avoid stop-and-start traffic or scenarios where you’re constantly racing around other drivers. Use your cruise control, and enjoy the ride.
Perform Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Proper tire inflation helps reduce rolling resistance and prevents blowouts on the interstate. High-quality motor oil keeps your engine running smoothly, potentially improving fuel efficiency.
Plan Your Route Carefully
Take into account the traffic patterns on your route. Would you rather hit Atlanta at 5:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m.? Do you even need to go through Atlanta? Could you take a bypass lane instead to avoid stop-and-go traffic?
Planning your trip so that you hit high-traffic areas at low-traffic times allows you to keep a consistent speed, save time, and skip the stress.
Summary
So, how much is it to fill up an RV? Here’s an idea of what it costs based on the largest gas tanks and the national average.
Class A RV with a 150-gallon tank at $3.88/gal costs $582 to fill up. The diesel equivalent costs $690.
Class B RV with a 30-gallon tank costs $116.40. The diesel version costs $138.
Class C RV with a 55-gallon tank costs $213.40. And the diesel version is $253.
On the whole, the cost of driving your RV – while more expensive than driving your hybrid – is less expensive than flying into a destination and having to find a hotel or other place to stay.
But it’s also harder to park your RV in your garage. That’s where Neighbor.com can help.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that connects RV owners with reliable storage options near them.
